From the publisher’s rulebook
Who goes first in Bombay?
Ystari Games English rules
The player who most recently saw an elephant starts.

Rule details
The first player takes the Action tokens; turns proceed clockwise.
At the end of each set, the player to their left becomes the new first player.
Source & edition
- Bombay: English rulebookYstari Games · Preparation, step 2; Game Turn; End of the Set · Checked 2026-09-24
Image: © Ystari Games / credited cover artist; retail photograph owner · eBay retail photograph
If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say. If you need a tie-break, pick a player at random.
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
- Acorn PawsThe player who most recently saw a squirrel goes first.
SymbioseWhoever most recently saw a frog goes first.
Quacks & Co.: Quedlinburg DashWhoever most recently saw a donkey goes first.
KoboldWhoever most recently saw a kobold goes first.
Captain CarcassThe player who saw the ocean most recently starts the game.
Free game-night tools: score keeper · turn timer · dice roller · all tools
Found a different instruction in your edition? Send a correction with the game, edition, and source.